Greater flexibility for homeowners as Fremantle takes density planning to new lengths

First it was the small dwelling scheme that enabled Fremantle homeowners to build granny flats without the need for a granny. Now the City of Fremantle has taken its density planning to new lengths with a draft planning scheme amendment which allows homeowners to build dwellings on eligible sites, irrespective of the sites planning density coding.

The City is now seeking public comment on the proposed planning scheme amendment (Amendment 50) that will provide greater flexibility for homeowners and result in more diverse and affordable housing in Fremantle – a key objective of the City of Fremantle Strategic Plan 2010-15.

The amendment will allow for the development of one additional dwelling per lot on residential properties where the lot benefits from front and rear road access. The provisions will assist in the delivery of infill housing at a range of different densities because homeowners won’t be confined to the standard lot size requirements of the R-Codes.

The provisions also require new dwellings to address the alternate frontage to the existing house on the site, meaning rear streets will benefit from improved street activation and surveillance.

Fremantle Mayor, Dr Brad Pettitt, said the amendment will provide further flexibility in delivering different forms of housing as well as improving the appearance of rear streetscapes.

“Fremantle homeowners will have greater choice in developing new forms of housing to address local needs and demands that otherwise may not have been allowed by the density code of their area,” Dr Pettitt said.

“The additional dwellings will also help to address Perth’s urban sprawl issue and will have the added benefit of transforming typical rear access streets into active and appealing streetscapes.”

The key requirements of the provisions in the proposed amendment are

• The property must have frontage to more than one gazetted road. The provisions will not apply to properties with a secondary frontage to a right-of-way or private street. Properties at street corners are also excluded
• The additional dwelling will need to address and gain access from the rear street
• The additional dwelling will still need to meet other planning requirements, such as those relating to parking, setbacks, building height and open space
• The provisions will not apply to subdivision, meaning the provisions will not result in the creation of vacant sites.

For more information http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/Home/List_of_News_and_Media